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Both the leaves and blooms can be eaten fresh or dried. Once picked, place small bundles of leaves and flowers in paper bags. Keep the bags in a dry, well ventilated area until they have completely dried out. Dried bee balm can be used for potpourri, tea, or substituted for oregano.
How do you use fresh bee balm leaves?
Fresh bee balm leaves can be added to pesto, and the flower petals make a pretty and aromatic garnish. They can be used in salads, to make an herbal butter, or in homemade ice cream or a cream cheese spread. Bee balm petals are also a lovely way to dress up fresh fruit or a fruit salad like this one.
How do you take bee balm?
Bee balm tea is a digestive aid that helps relieve nausea, upset stomach and gas. Like most herbal teas, it takes a bit longer to steep than a standard black tea, around 15 minutes. Try 1 tablespoon of dried flower petals or 2 tablespoons of fresh petals to every cup of water.
What does bee balm repel?
Bee Balm (Bergamot) – This beautiful blooming plant has many medicinal and culinary uses – mosquito repellent among them. And unlike many of the other plants listed here, bee balm works to repel mosquitoes not only when crushed but while alive and thriving in the garden.
Is bee balm poisonous?
Bee balm (Monarda) is a member of the mint family. Bee balm is not poisonous for humans. In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way. Despite not being poisonous to animals, eating parts of any plant can cause digestive upset to an animal.
How do you dry bee balm for tea?
The quickest way to dry bee balm is by using a dehydrator. Spread the leaves out on the screens and dry at a low temperature. Check every 30-minutes until completely dry. You can tell when the leaves are dry, by crushing a leaf or two.
What goes with bee balm?
Companion Planting and Design Bee balm is a perfect cottage garden plant. I like to let it ramble though a perennial flower border next to tall garden phlox, rudbeckia, roses, and peonies.
How do you keep bee balm from falling over?
Use clean, sharp scissors or shears to cut them back by about 3 to 6 inches when the flower buds are just beginning to form during the spring. It makes taller, more top-heavy bee balms easier to manage and less likely to fall over due to excessive bulk.
How fast does bee balm spread?
Bee balms spread rapidly via underground stems or stolons. In addition, the centers of the clumps often die out within a few years. To control their spread and rejuvenate the plants, it’s usually necessary to dig and divide bee balms every 2 to 3 years. Early spring is the best time to dig and divide bee balms.
Does bee balm like sun or shade?
Bee balm tolerates partial sun, but you’ll get fewer flowers. Space monarda plants 18 to 24 inches apart in organically rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7 that drains easily. Bee balm needs good air circulation to help prevent powdery mildew, a common fungal disease.
Do mosquitoes like bee balm?
Beloved for its ability to beckon bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, bee balm (Monarda) also earns rave reviews for its mosquito-repelling qualities. As it grows and blooms in your garden, it releases fragrances mosquitoes dislike.
What animal eats bee balm?
But birds don’t only enjoy Bee Balm in summer. The nutlet attracts finches, sparrows, juncos, redpolls, among other species.
Does bee balm attract wasps?
Wild bergamot is one of several plants also known by the common name of bee balm. Wild bergamot attracts a number of specialist bees, bumble bees, predatory wasps, hummingbirds, and hawk moths.
Where should I plant my bee balm?
When & Where to Plant Bee Balm Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time. Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. It can tolerate lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens.
Should you cut back bee balm?
Bee balm (Monarda) begin to bloom in July and will continue to bloom throughout late summer. As the flowers begin to wilt and fade, cut just above the next flower bud. Continue to cut throughout the season as needed until the stem has finished flowering. Once a stem is finished flowering, trim it back to the ground.
What is bee balm tincture used for?
Prized for its antimicrobial properties, bee balm helps kill germs, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Generally, antimicrobials like bee balm are used for fighting infections of the respiratory and digestive tracts, skin, or other areas of the body.
How long does bee balm take to flower?
110-120 days Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Red, pink, light to dark purple Bloom Time / Season: Summer Average Exposure: Full sun to partial shade 6.0-7.0 Time to Maturity: 110-120 days Well-draining Spacing: 18-24 inches Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.
Can bee balm grow in pots?
Blooming for up to 6 weeks from mid summer to fall, this tall flowering plant is a beautiful centerpiece to a garden, patio, sunroom, balcony or porch area. When placed in an area that gets full sun, bee balm can successfully be grown in a container by itself, or as a centerpiece in a larger tub arrangement.
What is the difference between bee balm and lemon balm?
While both bee balm and lemon balm are in the mint family, the plants are rather different. Bee balm is larger, often reaching 4 feet tall with 3-inch crimson flowers. Lemon balm is smaller, most often reaching 2-3 feet in height and produces small white flowers less than 1 inch in size.
